Sexual and reproductive health brought closer to the communities
The Ondangwa Adolescent and Youth Health Centre, in collaboration with the Society of Family Health, has implemented mobile health clinics in northern Namibia to bring sexual and reproductive health to community members.
TUNOHOLE MUNGOBA
ONDANGWA
From 27 September to 1 October 2021, the Society of Family Health (SFH) mobile clinics will be stationed in the Oshana Region before moving to other parts of the country.
“At the mobile clinics, we are conducting HIV tests, screening for Covid-19, handing out condoms and providing education on family planning. All of this is done at no extra cost,” says Memory Saller, chairperson of African Youth and Adolescents Network (AfriYan) in the Kunene Region.
“We have been doing visits with mobile clinics for some time now, but some regions were not included so we decided to include all the regions to ensure no one is left out.
“The response from the public has been really good, especially from the youth. They are turning up in numbers and we appreciate all their questions,” says Saller.
She says the mobile clinics are important as some people do not have the resources to go to hospitals and clinics to receive the information they are looking for.
“They are also discouraged by the long queues at the clinics, so now that the services are brought to them, it will be much easier.
“The mobile clinics are very private and confidentiality is ensured. Once you go inside, you will be assisted by one person and we do not discriminate.”
She urges parents to encourage learners to practise safe sex.
“Young people are having sex. It is not a secret. We should rather inform and educate them to make informed decisions.
“They are taught about sexual and reproductive health in schools, so we should also make sure they are well prepared to make better decisions,” says Saller.
Rauha Sanders, youth coordinator of Ondangwa Adolescent and Youth Health Centre, urges young people to make use of their facilities and not to be discouraged by common stereotypes.
She adds that the mobile clinics will return after three months and are looking forward to shaping young people when it comes to sexual health.
ONDANGWA
From 27 September to 1 October 2021, the Society of Family Health (SFH) mobile clinics will be stationed in the Oshana Region before moving to other parts of the country.
“At the mobile clinics, we are conducting HIV tests, screening for Covid-19, handing out condoms and providing education on family planning. All of this is done at no extra cost,” says Memory Saller, chairperson of African Youth and Adolescents Network (AfriYan) in the Kunene Region.
“We have been doing visits with mobile clinics for some time now, but some regions were not included so we decided to include all the regions to ensure no one is left out.
“The response from the public has been really good, especially from the youth. They are turning up in numbers and we appreciate all their questions,” says Saller.
She says the mobile clinics are important as some people do not have the resources to go to hospitals and clinics to receive the information they are looking for.
“They are also discouraged by the long queues at the clinics, so now that the services are brought to them, it will be much easier.
“The mobile clinics are very private and confidentiality is ensured. Once you go inside, you will be assisted by one person and we do not discriminate.”
She urges parents to encourage learners to practise safe sex.
“Young people are having sex. It is not a secret. We should rather inform and educate them to make informed decisions.
“They are taught about sexual and reproductive health in schools, so we should also make sure they are well prepared to make better decisions,” says Saller.
Rauha Sanders, youth coordinator of Ondangwa Adolescent and Youth Health Centre, urges young people to make use of their facilities and not to be discouraged by common stereotypes.
She adds that the mobile clinics will return after three months and are looking forward to shaping young people when it comes to sexual health.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article